It has now been a few months since my first interaction with ham radio. In that time I’ve: passed the Technician and General tests; purchased and learned how to program a pair of handsets; purchased and programmed a mobile UHF/VHF radio for my truck; added an antenna to the truck; and setup and used a pair of HF radios to get on the 10 meter band, making a dozen or so long distance contacts.

It’s been fun and full of learning. Here are a few things, in no particular order, which come to mind from my experience thus far:

• The wide variety of power/connectivty options is frustrating, particularly since there is nowhere local to buy this stuff.
• Ditto with the numerous coax connections and adapters.
• I’m terrible at copying callsigns. It’s as if, by default, my brain has a 3 character buffer which, by the end of the callsign I hear, has discarded the beginning. I’ve taken to pencil and paper to write down callsigns calling CQ – it often takes hearing it multiple times, between radio noise and accents, to get it correct.
• Antennas are confusing, I need to learn more here.
• I need to figure out a permanent antenna setup, the small vertical in my front yard is less than ideal.
• NanoVNA is a great learning tool.
• I’m appreciative of AnyTone products – they’re workable at a great price.
• I need to get the aforementioned connectors, adapters, jumpers, tools, etc. organized.
• The local hams are friendly and eager to help.
• The patchwork of software and systems everyone relies on is reminiscent of early personal computing days, and the BBS scene. I was surprised by this, and it’s a little refreshing.
• I need to settle on a logging system.
• I’m still hesitant to key up on the local repeater in response to chatter.
• Putting names to callsigns takes some time.

So that’s what comes to mind as I sit here this evening. Maybe I’ll update the list if more things come up.

Here’s to learning!